Implementation
Implementation thompsbb
The following steps need to be taken during implementation, which is the period right before the actual date that the integrated roadside vegetation management (IRVM) program officially begins and the months that follow.
Memoranda of Understanding
Partner organizations must sign any necessary memoranda of understanding.
Passing a County/City Resolution
The county board of supervisors or city council will need to pass a resolution establishing the program. Resolutions may also need to be passed or adopted regarding sections of Iowa code that pertain to IRVM programs, such as 314.22, and to accept LRTF grants. Work with other county or city staff to determine what resolutions are required.
Passing a Budget
Some counties and cities develop and submit the budget for the roadside program to be passed by the supervisors or council separate from other expenses, while others absorb the expenses in another department’s budget. In either case, it will need to be approved by the relevant county or city governing body.
Hire the Roadside Manager and Train Staff
Provide the Tallgrass Prairie Center roadside program manager with the mailing address, email address, and phone number of the roadside manager leading the implementation of the IRVM program. The TPC roadside program manager will then send the roadside manager the following information:
- The link to the online IRVM Technical Manual, with instructions on how to print sections should the roadside manager prefer a paper copy.
- Dates and locations for the next winter Association for Integrated Roadside Management (AFIRM) meeting, Roadside Conference, and Roadside Vegetation Programs 101 webinar.
- Information on the different responsibilities that the LRTF coordinator and TPC roadside program manager have so the roadside manager knows who to go to with questions.
- An inquiry to determine which field guides and brochures the roadside manager has, and providing any additional field guides or brochures that could be helpful.
- A request for a 3–5 sentence biography and photo to introduce the new roadside manager via the Iowa Roadside Management social media accounts and the Roader’s Digest email update.
- Information on how to reach out to nearby roadside managers who are willing to provide job shadowing by new roadside managers.
The TPC roadside program manager will then connect the roadside manager to the Iowa Roadside Management network by
- adding the new roadside manager’s contact information to the listing on the TPC website and internal email list consisting only of roadside manager email addresses; and
- adding the new roadside manager to the roadside management Google Group/email list and Roader’s Digest list, each of which is for those interested in roadside vegetation management.
Annual Operations
A list of annual tasks, duties, and projects can help the roadside manager understand their responsibilities throughout the year. Here is an example of a list of annual operations that appears in some IRVM plans. Some plans have a more detailed list that is organized by month.
- January–March: cut trees and brush, update seeding areas, attend the Association for Integrated Roadside Management winter meeting, attend the Iowa Weed Commissioner’s Association Annual Invasive Species Conference, submit the annual weed report to supervisors and state commissioner, meet with the board of supervisors on roadside budget, and maintain equipment.
- March–April: conduct prescribed burning, apply for LRTF grants, check and replenish inventory, complete spring seeding as the weather allows, and hire and train seasonal employees.
- April–October: complete seeding, perform weed commissioner duties (supervise the control and destruction of all noxious weeds in the county), spray brush in ditches, mow first- and second-year seeded areas, manage seasonal employees, and attend the annual Roadside Conference.
- October–December: cut trees and brush, complete fall seeding, maintain equipment, write reports, check and replenish material inventory, and finalize the roadside budget.